Fantasy Football: Wednesday News and Notes

Collin HagerOct 1, 2008

We like to post the mid-week notes after practices have completed, so they're going to come a little later in the day like this. It just makes the most sense when it comes to updating fantasy rosters. Let's check out what the first few practices have given us.

New Rams coach Jim Haslett has restored Marc Bulger to be the starting quarterback this week. It makes the most sense. The fact is, Bulger gives the Rams offense the best chance to win. He actually is a threat when it comes to throwing the football...which is much more than we can say for Trent Green at this point in his career.
The Steelers will likely be using Mewelde Moore as their starting running back this week. Parker's status is still uncertain, Mendenhall is done for the year, and Carey Davis sprained his ankle. Davis' status is still uncertain. The Steelers, rather than bringing in a proven back like Shaun Alexander, are trying to bring back Najeh Davenport, according to multiple reports. Davenport won't have much initial value, but he does know the system. So he has that going for him. Which is nice.
Anquan Boldin says he wants to play, but the team is going to wait to see if he is medically cleared. ESPN has reported that Boldin has a broken sinus membrane and a swollen jaw. He did require stitches as well. If cleared to play, you have to play him as the team indicates they will use him. He's too good to bench, and likely better than any other option that could be used. Boldin was not present for the early portion of practice today, but will meet with the media later to discuss his status, according to the Cardinals website. Boldin will likely do everything he can to get ready, but it's likely a long-shot.
Willis McGahee could be sidelined with a rib injury suffered Sunday against the Steelers. It seems all he's done recently is miss time, frustrating many owners. Le'Ron McClain will see the majority of the carries in McGahee's absence. Given that this is a rib injury, it likely makes sense to play McClain anyway, as you never know what kind of hit could knock a guy out of a game. Look to him as a flex play.
Carson Palmer declared yesterday that he would play under almost any circumstances. He's now backed off of that statement, saying things have yet to be determined. Initial thoughts here are that owners need to prepare to be without him for another week. There's enough swelling in the elbow to be concerned, and Palmer has not yet thrown in practice this week.
According to Rotoworld, Aaron Rodgers took a total of four reps in practice, all handoffs. Rodgers will be listed as a limited participant, but it's not likely that he'll be doing much more than that today. His shoulder is likely a problem, and owners, again, should prepare to be without him. We'll know more on Friday.
More proof that Jon Gruden is nuts: Jeff Garcia and Luke McCown are getting more reps in practice this week. Gruden feels that Griese needs to clean up his run of interceptions and he's prepping his quarterbacks for another potential switch. This is as bad as dealing with Shanahan's running backs.
As you've likely heard, Cedric Benson has signed with the Bengals. Kenny Watson is likely not going to be available as the backup to Chris Perry this week, so we could immediately see what kind of shape Benson is in. He certainly has value as a backup, but until we know how he'll be used, it's strictly for bench depth more than anything else.
Neither Brandon Lloyd or Marty Booker participated in practice today. Lloyd was already unlikely to be used this week, after suffering a knee injury last week against the Eagles. Booker is Lloyd's backup, so this likely brings down the value that Kyle Orton had been picking up in the past two weeks. Orton is emerging as a potential play in deeper leagues, but he needs help at receiver to be viable.
David Patten is still battling groin issues and was held out of practice today as a result. Patten caught one ball last week, and his absence opened the door for Lance Moore to see more targets. Given how he performed last week, that's not a bad thing. Moore is a decent grab in deeper leagues, but these are still the Saints receivers. From week to week, everything seems to change. It's tough to like any of them more than a number three option.
L.J. Smith has returned to practice in full. Given how poorly the Redskins have covered tight ends to this point in the season, having Smith healthy and active would be a boost to the offense. Given we don't really know the full status of Westbrook and friends, Smith would be a nice add.